Why was Mary Tudor illegitimate? Historical Background of Wolf Hall

The long-awaited second season of Wolf Hall arrived almost a decade after the first season on the BBC and incorporates historical figures including Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII. This follows the BBC’s first footage of Wolf Hall 2nd season, which increased expectations even further. The show goes deeper Thomas Cromwell’s influential role in Henry VIII’s tumultuous reigna period marked by political intrigue, religious upheaval and personal tragedies. As the series unfolds, viewers are confronted with the harsh reality of power and its potential for destruction. One of the most shocking moments in the opening episode is Henry’s threat to execute his own daughter, Mary, played by Lilit Lesser.

This chilling display of royal authority highlights how far Henry will go. Viewers are drawn into a gripping narrative about family conflicts, political maneuvering and the high stakes of defying a king. Mary Tudor, often remembered as “Bloody Mary”, is a complex and controversial figure in English history. Mary’s life was shaped by the tumultuous events of the Tudor era. In addition to the recap of Anne Boleyn’s execution in Wolf’s Hallseason 2 opening, Mary Tudor is a main focus. His legitimacy, a constant theme throughout his life, was central to the tensions of the episode.

Mary Tudor was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

Maria was born from a marriage made in good faith, but annulled for an important reason

Viewers would be forgiven for being surprised by Mary’s illegitimacy, as she was conceived during his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The answer lies in Henry’s annulment of his marriage to Catherine. Catholicism did not allow him to get a divorce, which he desperately wanted to do in order to marry Anne Boleyn. However, Catherine was previously married to Henry’s brother Arthur for a brief period. Despite her claim that the marriage was never consummated and her resistance to an annulment due to her strong Catholic faith, her previous marriage to his brother technically made her Henry’s sister, making the marriage illegitimate.

Henry sought an annulment for seven yearshaving become obsessed with Anne Boleyn in 1526. He finally annulled his marriage to Catherine in 1533, married Anne, and declared Mary illegitimate in the same year. This is where the question of the legitimacy of your descendants comes in. Today, in our increasingly secular society, we recognize that a marriage can be dissolved and that a subsequent marriage is equally valid. This was not shared by the Tudors, ultimately complicating Mary’s legitimacy. Henry established the Church of England with the Act of Supremacy in 1534, breaking with Catholicism and weakening the Pope.

In the Catholic Church, there were only two grounds for divorce: consanguinity (being too close) and annulment. An annulment declared the marriage null and void, but was distinct from divorce. As Henry VIII never obtained a Catholic divorce, Mary remained legitimate. However, perhaps under pressure from Anne Boleyn – which was common among stepmothers at the time – Henry sought to elevate the status of his future children. In 1533, an Act of Parliament formally declared Mary illegitimate, reducing her title from Princess to Lady Mary.

Mary wants to be recognized as a legitimate princess at Wolf Hall

Mary appears to be aware of the threat she poses in Season 2, Episode 1

The events of Wolf Hall season 2 takes place three years after Mary was declared illegitimate. In the first episode, Mary has defended her legitimacy as princess. It is Thomas Cromwell’s mission to dissuade her from this rebellion and sign a document accepting her illegitimacy. The tension in the episode is that Henry may go to the extreme of executing his own daughter, after the execution of Anne Boleyn and his marriage to Jane Seymour a fortnight later. Thomas Cromwell appeals to Mary to give up her rebellion to save his life.

Henry reconciled with Mary, providing her with a suitable home and considering future marriage alliances. She became godmother to Jane Seymour’s son, Prince Edward. Despite reuniting with Henry, his illegitimate status limited his freedom (British). Interestingly, Wolf Hall it shows Cromwell telling her not to read the papers when he hands them to her to sign, as it means she might repudiate them later. This is not true of the story, however. Lady Mary read Cromwell’s suggested letter clarifying her acceptance and sent it back “the same, word for word; and it is open, because I cannot bear to write another copy.” (British History).

Maria was not the only daughter to be removed from the line of succession

His half-sister Elizabeth also lost her title

After the death of Anne Boleyn, Henry and Anne’s daughter Elizabeth also lost her title. Just as Mary’s illegitimacy was supposed to elevate the legitimacy of Anne’s children, Elizabeth’s illegitimacy was declared to elevate the legitimacy of Jane Seymour’s children. This reinforces the crushing weight of the dynastic expectations of the time. Constructing the myth of legitimacy for his family with a tenuous claim to the throne was Henry VII’s plight, which Henry VIII would have witnessed, contributing to the strength behind his decision-making. Elizabeth was just a child when her mother was executed and she was reduced from princess to lady.

Until Jane Seymour gave birth to a son, Elizabeth was kept out of the public eye, living a secluded life with a small family at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire (PRH) before returning to court in 1537. Even so, she endured years of neglect until Catherine Parr, Henry’s last wife, took charge of her education. Elizabeth’s title was restored at age 10, along with Mary’s. Catherine Parr is often credited with bringing the family back together, having influenced Henry’s decision to pass the Third Act of Succession in 1543.

Mary’s submission to the Church of England was essential

His submission to Henry’s demands was a step towards survival

There’s a lot of emotional drama where Mary is concerned – it can’t be underestimated how much Mary had to give up. Formally, she had to abandon mass, recognize the English Protestant Church, deny papal authority and become a lady-in-waiting to her half-sister, Elizabeth. Mary was also forced to cease contact with her motheralthough they continued to correspond secretly until Catherine’s death in 1536. With this context in mind, it is easy to see why Mary initially fought this so fiercely – but, like the episode of Wolf Hall shows, it put his life in danger.

However, Mary would not always submit to the Church of England. Throughout her life, she defiantly insisted on practicing her Catholic faith, including holding her own Mass in her private chapel. Edward VI succeeded Henry VIII, but his reign was brief. After her death in 1553, an attempt was made to install Lady Jane Gray as queen. However, this only lasted a few days as Mary quickly asserted her claim with initial public support. According to The History Press, Mary’s fight for her crown was “the only successful revolt against the government in 16th century England.”

Mary’s determination to restore the Pope’s supremacy led to widespread discontent. Her marriage to Philip of Spain further alienated the public. Mary responded to Protestant opposition with relentless force. In 1555, she reinstated harsh laws against heresy, leading to the martyrdom of more than 300 Protestants. This earned her the infamous title of “Bloody Mary”. Her reign was interrupted by stomach cancer in 1558. As she lay dying, she knew that her half-sister Elizabeth would undo her efforts to reconcile England with Rome (Fitz Museum).

Mary’s submission to the Church of England as depicted in Wolf Hallit was a pivotal moment that set the stage for the religious turmoil that would define the latter part of the Tudor era. Her eventual accession to the throne and subsequent reign as a devout Catholic would lead to a period of intense religious persecution and martyrdom. The seeds of conflict sown during Henry VIII’s reign would continue to bear fruitshaping England’s religious landscape for future generations.

Source: British, British History, PRH, The History Press, Fitz Museum